Other forms: breakdowns
A breakdown is the moment a car stops working and will not start again. Hazard lights on, two wheels up on the verge, everyone standing about on the grass waiting for someone to come out with a tow truck.
Machines do it, and so does everything else: a breakdown in talks, the breakdown of a marriage, a breakdown in communication between two departments. A nervous breakdown is when a person cannot carry on any longer — you have a breakdown, and it is serious. Then a separate meaning altogether, the one you will meet at work: a breakdown of the figures is a list splitting a total into its parts. One word for the noun, two for the verb — the car broke down, and that was the breakdown.
1nounbreakdownA failure that stops a vehicle or machine working.
“A breakdown on the motorway cost them three hours.”
2nouncollapseThe collapse of something that had been working, such as talks or a relationship.
“The breakdown of the talks left both sides angry.”
3nounperiodA period in which someone becomes unable to cope or to function.
“He had a breakdown after his father died and took six months off.”
4nounlistA list showing how a total divides into its parts.
“Can you send me a breakdown of the costs?”
Deverbal from break down. a deverbal from break down.
Etymology from Wiktionary, CC BY-SA
Practised in Travel & Transport, Vehicles & Machines, Repair & Damage